Booger McFarland Names NFL Draft Prospect That Reminds Him of Himself

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 4:50 PM ET

With the 2025 NFL Draft quickly approaching, ESPN analyst and former LSU and NFL defensive lineman Booger McFarland made an intriguing connection to one of the top prospects in the class.

McFarland knows a thing or two about the inner workings of the defensive front. He earned First-Team All-America honors with the Tigers in 1998 before being taken with the No. 15 overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1999 NFL Draft. McFarland went on to become a two-time Super Bowl champion and totaled 257 career tackles and 22.5 sacks in eight seasons.

Joining Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling on the "BPA: The NFL Draft Show" on Wednesday, McFarland named one defensive line prospect that reminds him of himself.

The honor goes to Michigan's Mason Graham, who is trending to be the first player taken at the position.

"He reminds me a lot of me, and here's what I mean by that: He could play three technique, or he can play nose," McFarland said. "It just depends on who's next to him."

Graham (6-foot-3.5, 296 pounds) was a three-time All-American with the Wolverines, including a career-year as a junior, in which he earned unanimous All-America honors.

A former four-star recruit out of Mission Viejo, California, Graham posted career-highs in total tackles (47) and sacks (3.5) with seven tackles for loss and a pass breakup last season.

Graham's versatility was apparent in his final season at Michigan, as he posted an 87.8 run-defense grade and an 84.8 pass-rush grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

And McFarland believes that the future first-round pick can play multiple techniques at the next level.

"If I'm in a situation where I got a really good nose, I have no problem putting him at the three technique, because he's got that quickness, the balance and his ability to flip his hips," McFarland added. "He's shown the ability to get vertical, and I need my three technique getting vertical."

According to Easterling's most recent projection for Athlon Sports, Graham is expected to land with the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 5 overall pick, pairing him with former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker (Georgia) on the defensive front.

The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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